Martin A. B. K. Amidu, the former Special Prosecutor, has affirmed the genuineness of the leaked tape, which allegedly implicates high-ranking officials conspiring to oust Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare.
In a written statement, Amidu verified the authenticity of the 50-minute recording and identified the voice of one of the involved individuals, whom he previously represented as a client during his tenure as a lawyer in the Northern Region.
Furthermore, Amidu mentioned that he personally witnessed the person in question receiving phone calls during important discussions at their Accra office, suggesting a possible explanation for the presence of the recording.
He also suggested that less-experienced individuals might feel comfortable due to the interruptions caused by incoming calls.
On July 11, a leaked tape emerged, allegedly featuring a prominent police commissioner and some leaders of the governing New Patriotic Party planning to remove the IGP.
According to the recording, the conspirators perceive Dampare as a potential obstacle to the party’s success in the 2024 elections. Minister of the Interior Ambrose Derry, representing the government, vehemently denied the allegations and dismissed the leaked tape as unfounded.
Amidu additionally disclosed that a commissioner of police named Mr. Mensah, who has four months left on terminal leave before leaving the Ghana Police Service, was heard on the leaked tape along with other senior officers discussing plans against the IGP on various platforms.
Amidu claimed that such behavior is ingrained in a tradition within the police force, where colleagues undermine each other to secure preferential treatment for higher positions.
Accusing the government of selecting the IGP based on loyalty, Amidu asserted that discussions regarding Dampare’s predecessor’s replacement began long before their departure.
Amidu personally knew that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who chairs the Police Council and oversaw the meeting that formally recommended Dampare’s appointment to the President, was a strong supporter of Dampare even before the IGP position became vacant.
According to Amidu, vacancies in the IGP’s office always lead to lobbying and maneuvering among the top ranks of the Police Administration, especially when there are limited positions available.
Drawing from his experiences as a former member of the Ghana Police Council and Minister for the Interior, Amidu stated that senior police officers frequently campaigned for better positions and shared stories about their competitors.
Amidu concluded by stating that Dampare’s relatively young age and potential long tenure in the position could provoke further scheming and maneuvering among senior police officers aiming for his early removal from office.
He characterized the contents of the leaked tape as typical of the internal politicking within the Ghana Police Service.